Machine for trimming the tuft yarns of tube frames



Sept. 29, 1931.

G. Hv slMoNsoN 1,825,617 MACHINE FoR 'TRIMMING THE TUFTARNS oF 'T'BVE FRAMES 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 2'?.` 19:50

Sept. 29, 1931. G. H. slMoNsoN MACHINE FOR TRIMMIG THE TUFT YARNS OF TUBE FRAMES Filed March 27. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Sept. 29, 1931. G. H. slMoNsoN MACHINE FOR TRIMMING THE TUFT YARNS OF TUBE FRAMES Filed March 27. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY Sept. 29, 1931. l G. H. slMoNsQN MCHINE FOR TRIMMING -THE TUFT YARNS OF TUBE FRAMES l@Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 27, 1930 S /Nl/ENTUP BY ATTE-NP'A/'EY paf Patented Sept. 29, 1931 inra STATES PATENT Aorifice* GEORGE EI. SIMONSN. SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO BIGELOW- SANFORD CAR-PET C0., INC., OF THOMPSGNVILLE, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATI Olk MASSACHUSETTS MACHINE FOR TRIMMNG THE TUFT YAR-NS OF TUBE FRAMES Application filed March E27, 19730. Serial No.'49,438.

This invention relates to machines for trimming the tuft yarns projecting from tube frames preparatory to using the tube frames in weaving .rnminster carpets and other similar pile fabrics.

In weaving AXminster and moquette carpets and rugs, tuft tube frames are employed to insert the pile loops that are bound to the body fabric, and thek different colored yarns for forming the design produced by the pile are drawn into the individual tubes of the tuft tube frames in accordance with a predetermined design.

After the tuft forming yarns have been drawn through the tubes of a tube frame preparatory to using the tube frame in weaving, it is necessary or desirable to trim the tuft yarns so that they will all extend a uniform distance from the tube frame. This trimming operation has been performed heretofore by hand but itis dicult `to trim the tuft yarns evenly by the hand method.

One important feature of the present invention thereforeresides in a tuft yarn trimming y machine having a surface upon which the tuft yarns extending from a tube frame may rest during the trimming operation and also havresides in a movable Asupport for thev tuft. f yarns andadapted to normally hold the yarns out of the path of a cutter, but constructed to lc-wer the yarns into the path of the cutter, vas y the clamping means exerts its clamping pressure upon the yarns. Y

Still a further feature of the inventionresides in means #movable lengthwise of the yarn supporting". table and operable to straighten the yarnsout transversely of the table ready `to be cut, and in suction means for removing the cut ends from the table.

Other features of the invention and novel combination of parts in addition to the abov'e :will be hereinafter describedin connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate one good practical form ofthe invenof the machine of Fig. 2;

Fig. t is an enlarged'elevation ofaportion of the rear ofthe machine of Fig. 2;

Fig. La is a front elevation of stop mechanism to be described; c

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 15--5 ofV Fig. 4 and shows the clamp loweredV into engagement with the yarns; l

Fig. 5a is a view similar to Fig. 5 but shows the relation of the parts when the clamp is raised; and i Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 646V of Fig. 3.

The trimming machine of the present invention may be used to trim the tuft yarns of tube frames of various constructions; In preparing tuft tube frames for use in connection with a loom to forni a pile fabric the yarns l used to form the pileV are supplied by one or more spools 2 mounted upon the tube frame, and the yarns from these spools are drawn through the individual tubes 3 secured to the carrier bar 4 of the tube frame. The yarns l after being vdrawnthrough the tubes 3 will present a more or less uneven appearance as shown in Fig. l. Itis therefore desirable to trim these yarns to a uniform length before4 the tube frames are associated with the loom for weaving pile fabric. v

.The tuft yarn trimming machine of the present invention may-be variously constructed, and as shown in the drawings has the raised platform 5 which is supported at'the desired ydistance from the floor by a supporting frame consisting of the longitudinally eX- tending beams 6 and the supporting legs 7 whichare retained in spaced relation to each slot to trim the tuft yarns 1.

ator into the yarn clamping position.

other by the transversely extending braces S.

Upon the platform 5 is mounted the yarn supporting table 9, and the table 9 is supported in elevated relation to trie platform 5 by the long angle bar 10 an d spaced l rackets 10a having mounted upon their upper edges the U-shaped casting or castings 11 as will be apparent from F ig. 5. In the construction shown the U-shaped castii A' 11 is provided with the rontwardly extending shelf 12 adapted to support the spools 2 of the tube frame during the yarn trimming operation and the tube frame is further supported in this ositi on by the upwardly extending plate 13 adiapted to engage the tubes 3 ot the frame Vand also constitutes an abut-ment adapted to beongaged by a vertical wall of the carrier bar 4. The arrangement is such that when the tube frame is placed upon the shelf 12 with a face of the carrier bar abutting against the plate 13 the tube traine will be accurately aligned with the yarn trimming means to be described.

In the construction shown the yarn supporting table 9 is provided witl an, elongated slot 14 adapted to receive the cutter blade 15 which is advanced longitudinally of the The table 9 in accordance with the present invention is normally supported in a raised position so that its upper or yarn supporting surta ce will lie above the cutting edge ot the blade 15. it beine contemplated that the work supportin table will be moved downwardly sutclently to cause the cutter 15 to act upon the yarns 1 only when the yarns are held clamped upon the table 9 by means to be described. In the construction shown the vertically movable yarn supporting table consists of the trough shaped bracket or work supporting casing 16'` which is mounted within the U-shaped cast-ing 11 for vertical sliding movement through a short distance and the trough 16 is provided adjacent its upper edge with the longitudinally extending bars 17 which arelield in spaced relation to each other bythe trough 1G to form the slotted yarn supporting table 9. Tae trough 1G is normally held in its elevated position by the coiled springs 18 which surround the posts 19 and the movement of the trough 16 in an upward direction under the in'tluence of the springs 18 is limited by the rail Q0 which is supported in elevated relation to the base of the U-shaped brackets 11 by the posts 1S).

As above stated one of the important 'teatures of the present invention resides in means for holding the tutt yarns clamped upon the table 9 while the vai-ns are being acted upon by the trimming knife. This is i accomplished in the construction shown by providing the clamp 21 which is normally held in an elevated position above the table 9 but may be lowered by the machine operrl`he construction of the yarn supporting table 9 and cooperating clamp Q1 is such that thc tutt yarns lying upon the table 9 will normally be held suiliciently elevated to clear thc traveling cutter 15 as will be apparent from Fig. 5, but when it is desired to trim the yarns 1 the clamp Q1 is moved downwardly to hold the yarns 1 lirmly in place at the opposite sides ot' the slot in the work supportingv table 9, and as the clamp 21 continues to move down vardly after engaging the table or yarns thereupon it will depress the table from the pos'tion in which it shown in Fig. 5 to the position in which it is shown in Figi". 5 to thereby bring the row ol clamped tutt yarns into position robe revered by the travel- `ing cutter 15.

ist

gage sleeves 27 secured upon the posts 23 in the desired position by set screws The clamp 21 is normally held elevated by the springs 26 but may be moved downwardl Y into engagement with the work through the employment of a oot treadle upon which the machine attendant mly stand so that his weight will hold the clamp in lirm clamping engagement with the tutt yarns 1 while they are being severed by the traveling knife '15. The means shown for lowering the clamp consists of a foot treadle or rail 2f) which exten ds along the front of the. machine and il s opposite ends are secured to the supporting lere-rs 30, the rear ends of which are pivotal-ly supported adjacent the rear of the machine at An intermediate portion of each lever 30 is connected by a rod or link 32 to the lower end of a vertically sliding post 23 so that the yarn holding clamp 21 may be lowered into en gra gement with the work by depressi ug the ned-al Means for operating the knife 15 to sever the yarns might be variously constructed, but is shown as comprising an endless chain ll which passes around the sprockets 3K1-, 35 mounted adjacent the opposite endsI of the trimming n'lachine. The upper run of the chain 83 rests upon the grooved rail 20 above described as supported by the posts 1S). The knife 15 is secured to a block 36 having a post 37 which is connected to a link of the endless chain and the block 36 is constructed to slide in the lower portion of the slot t'ormed bctwcenthe spaced rails 17 of the table Y).

i le the upper ends of these springs cn- `iiiotor 38 conveniently mounted below the platform 5 and having a belt 39 adapted to drive a pulley 40 secured to the transversely extending shaft 4l adaptedto support and drive the s procket 34.

y t is important that the tuft yarns l to be `severed be arranged transversely of the table 9 in a straightened condition, and it is therefore desirable to provide means for straightening these yarns transversely of the table. This is accomplished in the construction shown by a rotating-brushl 42. This brush is not long enough in the construction' sho-wn to extend the entire length of the tube frame, the yarns of which are to be trimmed, and the brush is therefore supported in accordance with the present invention for movement lengthwise of the `work supporting table. To this end in theconstruction shown the rotating brush 42 yis mounted upon a shaft 43 that is rotatably supported by the horizontally extending plate 44. This plate is shown as secured to the laterally extending portion 45 of the vertically disposed plate 46 that constitutes the travelling carriage for supporting the brush 42v for movement lengthwise of the table. The carriage or vertical plate 46 f is shown vas provided with the grooved'rollers 47 adapted to cooperate with the opposite edges of the carriage supporting rail 48 which rail is secured to and supported by the frame or brackets l0. The brush 42 is driven in the construction shown by a motor 49 mounted upon the horizontally extending n 4tiie dogs 57, 60 serve not only to automatiplateV 44 and power is imparted from the motor 49 to the brush 42 bythe belt 50 which passes around the pulleys 5l and 52, provided upon the motor and brush shaft respectively.

It is desirable to provide power driven means for advancing the brush lengthwise of `he woik support-ing table 9 while it is acting upon the tuft yarns l and this is accomplished inv the construction shown by providing a second endless chain 53 adapted to be supported by sprockets disposed near the opposite ends of the trimming machine, and one of which is driven from the shaft-41. The travelling carriage 46 in accordance with the present invention is provided with chain en- 0wingmeans adapted to engage the upper run of the chainV 53 tomove the carriage Alengthwise of the trimming machine in one n direction and which device is adapted to cngage the lower run of the chain 53 to advancev this carria'e inthe opposite direction. The means shown to this end consists of a bolt 54 secured to the plate 46 of the carriage 'automatically releasing the bolt 54 for 'Vertical sliding movement and the upper endof `the bolt 54 is provided with a finger 55k adapted to be engaged with the upper run 'of the cha-in 53- while the lower end of the Abolt 54 is provided with a similar finger 5G adapted'to be engaged with the lower run of the chain 53. lt is apparent from the bolt construction ust described that if the bolt 54 is moved upwardly into engagement with the upper run of the chain 53 the brush supporting carrier will be advanced lengthwise of the table ina right hand direction, viewing Fig. 2, whereas if the bolt is moved downwardly into engagement with the lower vrun of the cliain`58 the carriage will be advanced lengthwise of the trimming. machine in a left hand direction.

lt is desirable that means be provided for from the carriage advancing chain when the carriage reaches either end of its* path of travel, and it is also desirable that manually controlled meansA beprovided for moving the bolt into engagement with a run of the chain. rlhisV is accomplished in the construction shown by providing a dog` 57 near the left hand end of the machine shown in Fig; 2 and constructed to move the bolt 54 upwardly out of engagement with the lower run of the chain53 as the carriage approaches the left hand end ofthe machine of Fig. 2, and to this end the bolt 4 is provided with a pin 58 adapted to engage and be raised by the inclined face 59 of the dog 57. A dog 60 is provided at theopposite end of the machine and has the inclined face Gl to disengage the bolt from the ripper run of the chain 53 as the carriage approaches the right hand end yof the table. lThe dogs 57 and 69 aresupported in their operative position by the brackets 62, 63.V I c ln accordance with the present invention cally move the bolt 54 to its intermediate or inoperative positioiibut are adapted also to Vbe manually shifted to engage the bolt with levers 69. The other dog 60 is connected to the operating treadle GS by the downwardly efzteiidiii'g'cable '70 and the foot ti'cadle is normally held in its raised position r against the stop 7i by'springs or the like 72. The constructnn just described is such that when the traveling carriage 45 is brought to rest at either end of its .path of travel by the engagement of the pin 58 with a dog, the 'bolt 54 may be manually moved into engagement with the proper run of the chain 53 by stepping on the foot treadle GS to operateJ a. dog in a direction to shift the bolt from lts intermediate position into a chain engaging position. 1t is desirable to provide means for frictionally holding the dog 54 in its neutral position or in engagement with either run of the chain 53 and this is accomplished by providing the plate spring 72:3 having a V- shaped portion adapted to engage any one of the three notches 7 4 formed in a face of the bolt 54.

It is desirable to provide means for removing the severed ends of the yarns from the trimlning table and this is conveniently accomplished in accordance with the present invention by providing the travel carriage 46 with a suction pipe 7 5 mounted adjacent an edge of the table 9 is best shown in Fig. 5, and air may be exhausted from the suction pipe by a. fiexible conduit 7 G which may lead to any suitable form of exhaust means. Current for operating tlie brush driving mo tor 49 may be supplied by a flexible cable 77 which is conveniently attached to the flexible conduit 76. f

It will be seen from the foregoing that the tuft yarns of a tube frame may be evenly trimmed in accordance with the present iuvention by placing a tube frame upon the. shelf 12 so that the carrier bar 4 abuts against the upright 1 3 with the tuft yarns resting upon the table 9. The tuft yarns may then be arranged in a straightened condition transversely of the table by the rotating brush 42 which is advanced lengthwise of the machine in either direction by manually depressing the foot treadle GS to shift the bolt 5-'1- into engagement with a run of the endless chain 53. The straightened yarns may then be clamped upon the table 9 by depressing the foot treadle 29 to force the clamp downwardly into engagement with the table 9 so that the clamp will firmly hold the yarns in place and will also depress the table 9 sufficiently to bring the clamped tuft yarns l into the path of the traveling knife 15 so that these yarns will all be trimmed at a uniform distance from the tube frame. The lower face of the clamp Q1 is preferably provided with the central slot 78 adapted to clear the edge of the knife 15.

IVhat is claimed is 1. In a tuft yarn trimming machine, the combination of a tube frame support, a slotted surface on which the tuft yarns extending beyond the tube frame rest, a brush for straightening out the loose yarn on said slipporting surface, a cutter movable along said slot to cut the yarns to a uniform length from the tube frame, and means for holding the yarns while they are being cut.

2. In a tuft yarn trimming machine, the combination of a tube frame support having a table on which the tuft yarns extending from the tube frame rest, a cutter movable lengthwise of the table, and means for shifting the table to move the yarns resting thereon into and out of the path of the cutter.

3. In a tu'ft yarn trimming machine, the combination of a tube frame support having a movable table on which the tuft yarns extending from the tube frame rest, a cutter movable lengthwise of the table, and means for clalnping the yarns on the table and oper able also to shift the table to move the yarns resting thereon into the path of the cutter.

4. In a tuft yarn trimming machine, the

combination of a tube frame support having a movable table on which the tuft yarns extending from the tube frame rest, a cutter movable lengthwise of the table, means for normally holding the table in a position to cause the moving cutter to clear the yarns upon the table, and means for clamping the yarns on the table and operable also to shift the table to move the yarns thereon into the path of the cutter.

5. In a tutt yarn trimming machine, the combination of a tube frame support having a. table on which the tuft yarns extending from the tube frame rest, a cutter movable lengthwise of the table in non-cutting relation with the yarns on the table, and means for relatively moving the table and cutter in a direction to cause the traveling cutter to sever the yarns on the table.

6. In a tuft yarn trimming machine, the combination of a tube frame support, means for positioning the tube trame on the support that the tubes may extend a uniform distance from the support, a table on which the loose tuft yarns extending from the tube frame rest, spring means for normally supporting the table in raised position, a normally elevated clamp, means for depressing the clamp to lower the table and hold the varns in place upon the table, and a cutter below the clamp for severing the yarns while they are held by the clamp.

7. In a tuft yarn trimming machine, the combination of a tube frame support, a slotted table at one side thereof on which the tuft yarns extending from the tube frame rest, springs normally acting to elevate the table with the tuft yarns thereon, a cutter normally disposed below the slot in the table and provided with power actuated means for advancing the cutter along said slot, a clamp above the table, and means for depressing the clamp to hold the yarns across said slotiand' to depress the table that the cutter may enter the slot in the table to cut the yarns.

8. In a tutt yarn trimming machine, the combination of a tube frame support having a table on'which the tuft yarns extending from the tube frame rest, means for arranging the yarns in a straightened condition upon the table, a clamp for holding the yarn lll;

in the straightened condition upon the table, and a cutter for severing the clamped yarns.

9. In a tutt yarn trimming machine, the combination oit a tube frame support having a table on which the tutt yarns extending from tl e tube frame rest, means mounted for movement lengthwise of the table and adapted to lay the yarns in a straightened condition upon the table, and a cutter for severing the yarns resting upon the table.

l0. In a tutt yarn trimming machine, the combination of 'a tube frame support having a table on which the tutt yarns extending from the tube trame rest, a rotating brush for iaying the yarns transversely of the table, power means for advancing the brush along the table, and a cutter for severing the yarns resting upon the table.

li. In a tuit yarn trimming machine, the combination of a tube framesupport having a table on which the tutt yarns extending from the tube trame rest, a carriage mounted for movement longitudinally of the table and provided with means for straighteningI the yarns across the table, power means for advancing the carriage in either' direction along the table, and a cutter for severing the yarns resting),` upon the table.

12. In a tutt yarn trimming machine, the combination of a tube frame support having a table on which the tutt yarns extending from the tube iframe rest, a tutt yarn trimmer movable along the table for trimming the yarns upon said table, and suction means nu 'able with the trimmer for removing the ends as they are trimmer 'from the yarns.

i3. In a. tutt yarn trimming machine, the combination of a tube frame support having a table on which the tutt yarns extending trom the tube frame rest, means for holding the tutt yarns clamped upon the table during the trimming operation, a tutt yarn trimmer movable along the table for trimming the yarns while held clamped, and suction means moyable with the trimmer tor removing the' trimmed ends from the table as they are progressively cut.

la. In a tutt yarn trimming machine, the combination of a tube fra-me support having a slotted and yieldingly supported trimming table on which the loose tutt yarns extending from the tube tra-me rest, clamping means for holding the tutt yarns clamped upon the table and across said slot` a knife normally positioned below the slot in the table, means tor depressing the clamping means to clamp the yarns and depress the table that the knife may enter the slot, and an endless operating member for the knife to cut the yarns extending across theV slot.

15. In a tutt yarn trimming machine, the combination of a tube frame support having a trimming table on which the tutt yarns extending 'from the tube frame rest, means for laying the yarns transversely of the table including a carriage mounted to travel along the table and provided with a rotating brush that engages the yarns, mechanism 'for reciprocating the carriage including an endless chain and means upon the carriage engageable with one run of the chain to advance trame is positioned on its support, meansl for aligning the tube frame on its support that the tubes of the frame may extend the same distance towards the table, a cutter movable longitudinally of the table, and means for relatively shifting the table and cutter in a direction transversely of the tutt 'yarns to present the yarns on the table into and out of the path of the cutter.

'17. In a machine for trimming tutt yarns which extend from the tubes of a tube frame; that the individual yarns may be trimmed to the same length from the ends of the tubes,r

comprising, in combination, a tube trame support, a yieldingly mounted table extend ing at one side of said supportand on which the separate tutt yarns rest when the tube trame is positioned on its support, said table havingr a cutter slot, a cutter normally below said slot, a clamp for the tutt yarns, and

means for depressing the clamp upon tho yarns and depressing the table that the cutter may extend upwardly through the slot in the table to cut the yarns.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this speciiieation.

GEORGE H. SIMONSON. 

